Rochester Lourdes at Kasson-Mantorville
2 p.m., Saturday, April 18

The other top-5 matchup in Class 2A is Saturday afternoon between No. 5 Rochester Lourdes and No. 3 Kasson-Mantorville, two teams that will likely butt heads in the Section 1 playoffs later this spring. Last year the KoMets beat Rochester Lourdes twice in the section playoffs to end the Eagles’ season.

Under manager Broc Threinen, the KoMets have earned state berths in three of the last four years, winning their only title in 2013.

Despite graduating all-state selection Jayden Prigge, Kasson-Mantorville returns four starters from last year’s state tournament team, including Winona State-bound senior Kyle Nichols (.391, 27 RBI), and should remain strong.

Rochester Lourdes returns almost its entire lineup from last season's young team. The Eagles are searching for their first state tournament berth since 2002 but have the horses to get it done.

Zach Hillman hit .500 as a junior and stole 35 bases, while Nick Hanson (.403) and Daniel Burriss (.458, two homers) each were solid at the plate and were anchors on the pitching staff. Hanson won nine games with 65 strikeouts in 55 innings, while Burriss had a .133 ERA in 21 innings.

Adam Ellingson and Henry Wittren both hit over .300 and are committed to MSU-Mankato and Nebraska-Omaha, respectively.